HOUSTON — The U.S. is warning springbreakers to take extra precautions when traveling to some popular destinations this year, including Mexico, Jamaica, and the Bahamas.
In recent weeks, the U.S. State Department has issued advisories for those areas after recent violence. Though security experts told the Washington Post those warnings are consistent with warnings made in recent years.
So why is the State Department concerned?
Jamaica travel warning: Reports of violent crime
Jamaica has been under a level 3 travel advisory since 2022, meaning the State Department has been warning visitors to reconsider traveling there. This is the second highest level.
The state department said in its warning that violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.
U.S. officials added that local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence.
Jamaican officials said they have made serious improvements in combating crime.
Another thing U.S. officials noted was an issue with medical services in Jamaica. They warned emergency services and hospital care vary throughout the island and response times and quality of care may vary from U.S. standards. Public hospitals are under-resourced and cannot always provide high-level or specialized care.
Private hospitals require payment upfront before admitting patients and may not have the ability to provide specialized care, officials said. Ambulance services are not always readily available, especially in rural areas, and are not always staffed by trained personnel.
The state department encouraged travelers to get traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling to Jamaica. The state department does not pay medical bills.
Bahamas travel warning: Gang violence
Citing increased crime, the State Department issued a level 2 travel advisory for anyone going there. That means they want visitors to the Bahamas to "exercise increased caution."
According to the State Department, most of the crime is happening in New Providence, which includes Nassau, and Grand Bahama, which includes Freeport.
For anyone heading to Nassau, the government said to be aware of the “Over the Hill” area, where homicides have been on the rise because of gang-on-gang violence, primarily with locals there.
They also said burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults are happening in both areas designed for tourists and areas that aren’t. They said you should be vigilant when staying at short-term rentals without private security.
Mexico travel warning: Tourists caught in crossfire
In Mexico, the violence is often not directed at tourists but they can get caught in the crossfire.
The State Department said violent crimes like homicides, kidnappings, carjackings, and robberies are still widespread in Mexico.
Like in the case of Jamaica, the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted.
In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities, officials said.
Recently, a Texas man and his partner dealt with this issue following a serious injury while on a getaway to the beach in Tulum, Mexico.
Here is additional information about travel to specific states from the State Department
Do Not Travel To:
- Colima state due to crime and kidnapping.
- Guerrero state due to crime.
- Michoacan state due to crime and kidnapping.
- Sinaloa state due to crime and kidnapping
- Tamaulipas state due to crime and kidnapping.
- Zacatecas state due to crime and kidnapping.
Reconsider Travel To:
- Baja California state due to crime and kidnapping.
- Chihuahua state due to crime and kidnapping.
- Durango state due to crime.
- Guanajuato state due to crime and kidnapping.
- Jalisco state due to crime and kidnapping.
- Morelos state due to crime.
- Sonora state due to crime and kidnapping.
Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:
- Aguascalientes state due to crime.
- Baja California Sur state due to crime.
- Chiapas state due to crime.
- Coahuila state due to crime.
- Hidalgo state due to crime.
- Mexico City due to crime.
- Mexico State due to crime.
- Nayarit state due to crime.
- Nuevo Leon state due to crime and kidnapping.
- Oaxaca state due to crime.
- Puebla state due to crime and kidnapping.
- Queretaro state due to crime.
- Quintana Roo state due to crime.
- San Luis Potosi state due to crime and kidnapping.
- Tabasco state due to crime.
- Tlaxcala state due to crime.
- Veracruz state due to crime.
Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:
SOURCE: U.S. State Department
Spring break travel: Staying safe
According to the Post, safety measures can be simple but effective. That includes staying alert, purchasing travel insurance, and keeping your emergency contact list updated.
Also, avoid walking or driving off resort areas after dark, and when you can, avoid public transit. In Mexico, the U.S. embassy recommends traveling on toll roads during the day and remaining near major cities. For all these destinations security experts say you should keep a low profile.
If you do travel to these areas, the State Department recommends the following:
- Keep traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans. If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location. If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend.
- Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities.
- Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
- Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
- Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Follow the U.S. Embassy on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Country Security Report for each destination.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information related to your travel.
